It's time for Guild Festival Theatre's Next Act
Guild Festival Theatre announces the upcoming transition of artistic leadership
With immense gratitude for their incredible work, we announce that 2026 will be the final season under the leadership of Co-Artistic Directors, Helen Juvonen and Tyler J. Seguin. Before their departure, the two will support the search to identify GFT’s next artistic director, ensuring a thoughtful and seamless transition for the organization.
During their time with GFT, Helen and Tyler directed numerous productions, earned the company's first Dora nominations and awards, produced GFT's highest-selling show and most-attended season, and led the company through the COVID-19 pandemic. They established the In Conversation With Classics program to develop new plays, two of which have received world premieres (Heratio by Genevieve Adam, and The Veil by Keith Barker and Thomas Morgan Jones), as well as the Youth Engagement Scarborough Program to support young creators. Through touring and co-production, Helen and Tyler have extended GFT's reach beyond Scarborough with partnerships including The Stratford Festival and Crow's Theatre, while also putting down deeper roots in Guild Park with the installation of permanent facilities at the Greek Theatre. Their leadership, artistry, and passion have redefined GFT as a cultural hub in Scarborough.
Helen will be stepping down as Co-Artistic Director at the end of January 2026 to pursue other artistic opportunities but will stay on as a consultant during the leadership transition and return to the park to direct Brontë: The World Without this summer. Tyler will remain with GFT until the end of the 2026 season, directing Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, before starting a Masters degree program in the fall.
Guild Festival Theatre Board of Directors
“Helen's and Tyler's leadership has been truly transformative for Guild Festival Theatre, elevating the company to an exciting new level of artistic vitality and ambition. We are profoundly grateful for their dedication, their creativity, and their tireless work over the past six years. Guided by their expansive and generous vision, GFT experienced a period of remarkable growth, creating meaningful opportunities for Scarborough artists and audiences, and extending the reach of GFT’s work beyond Scarborough's borders to amplify this community’s distinctive voice. Their impact on the company is lasting, and their inspiration will continue to shape GFT as the company moves forward with confidence, optimism, and great promise under the next artistic leadership.”
Helen Juvonen, Co-Artistic Director
"The past 6+ years have been an incredible journey. I feel so unbelievably proud of the work Tyler and I have done with Guild Festival Theatre - not only the productions themselves, but also the community we've helped build along the way.
It's been such a source of pride to be able to make art in Scarborough for the people of Scarborough. I have so many feelings about leaving the company but my path has started leading me away from the park with an out-of-province acting opportunity this spring, and taking The Veil to Stratford this fall. While it's time to move on from this leadership position, my heart is with GFT and I'm delighted that I will return this summer to direct Brontë: The World Without. I've always said that Guildwood audiences are the best and I truly believe it. I can't wait to introduce you all to the next artistic leader of the company!"
Tyler J. Seguin, Co-Artistic Director
“Working at Guild Festival Theatre alongside Helen has been an honour and a privilege. Over our time here together, we have grown tremendously as artists and leaders while helping the company advance in meaningful and lasting ways.
There are so many achievements I’m proud of: GFT’s first Dora awards, first playwrights unit, and first tours, to name just a few. While I will miss the remarkable Scarborough community, I am confident that the next Artistic Director will continue to build on this momentum and lead GFT into its next chapter. I’m looking forward to sharing one final summer in the park directing Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, and to watching Guild Festival Theatre continue to grow and thrive in the years ahead.”
The call for a new Artistic Director will be announced in the coming weeks. To support a smooth transition, the incoming Artistic Director will work alongside the current artistic leadership throughout the summer.